Ghaggar breach triggers panic in Sirsa, local residents take charge

Fear continues to grip villages in Sirsa district as the Ghaggar river erodes fragile embankments, threatening to flood large swathes of farmland. Despite repeated attempts by the administration, the force of the river has so far overpowered efforts to contain it.

Action sought against negligent officials

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- Sarpanches from Ranga, Thiraj, Mattar and Lehngewala have appealed for immediate assistance, citing shortages of manpower and machinery. Their demands include JCB machines, tractor-trolleys with soil and floodlights for vulnerable embankment points

- “Last Thursday, we met the Deputy Commissioner seeking urgent help. But despite assurances, no support has reached our villages,” said Karamjeet Singh, Sarpanch of Ranga, joined by Pragat Singh (Thiraj), Ajaib Singh (Mattar) and Makkhan Singh (Lehngewala)

- They have also sought action against negligent officials

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- Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sharma dismissed fears of inaction. “Teams from the administration and irrigation department are continuously monitoring the situation. All necessary resources are being provided as needed. Villagers are fully cooperating. People should not believe in rumours,” he said

For the past three days, villagers along the river have been on high alert. In Panihari, a damaged embankment remains unrepaired, leaving residents vulnerable. The breach has already diverted water into Nejadela Kalan, where fields were inundated early Monday morning, forcing villagers to act swiftly.

Officials from the Irrigation Department maintain they have enough machinery and MGNREGA workers, but say repairing embankments inside flooded fields remains extremely difficult. With administrative efforts lagging, villagers have taken charge themselves — risking lives to protect homes, crops and livestock.

“About 2.5 to 3 feet of water has already entered fields near the ring bundh along Mallewala Road. If not brought under control, the water could rise further and endanger nearby hamlets,” warned Hoshiar Singh, former sarpanch of Nejadela Kalan.

Nearly 1,000 villagers are working day and night at Panihari, using tractors, soil and whatever material they can muster to seal the breach. Their biggest fear is that if the embankment isn’t fixed quickly, more villages will be at serious risk.

Though there was minor relief at Sardulgarh, where water levels dipped from 43,420 to 39,780 cusecs in the last 24 hours, the situation remains tense at the Ottu Headworks, where flow has risen to 28,680 cusecs.